Rapid Watershed Assessment Baptism-Brule (MN) HUC: 04010101

Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Rapid watershed assessments provide initial estimates of where conservation investments would best address the concerns of landowners, conservation districts, and other community organizations and stakeholders. These assessments help land–owners and local leaders set priorities and determine the best actions to achieve their goals.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410, or call 1 (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Introduction

The Baptism Brule 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) subbasin is located in the Northern Lakes and Forest ecoregion of Minnesota. This largely forested watershed is 1,019,923 acres in size. Approximately fourteen percent of the land in this HUC is privately owned, and the remainder is tribal, state, county, conservancy or federally owned land.

Assessment estimates indicate 22 farms located in the watershed. Approximately eighty two percent of the operations are less than 180 acres in size, eighteen percent are from 180 to 1000 acres in size, and no farms in this HUC appear to be greater than 1000 acres. Of the 20 operators in the watershed, 47 percent are full-time producers not reliant on off-farm income.

The main resource concerns throughout the watershed are sheet and rill, streambank, lakeshore and roadside erosion, groundwater quality and quantity, surfacewater quality and quantity, timberland management, shoreline management, and wetland management. Associated with the erosion runoff and stormwater issues are increased sediment and pollutant loadings to surface waters.

County Totals

County Acres in HUC % HUC Cook 822,957 80.7% Lake 196,965 19.3% Total acres: 1,019,923 100%

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2 Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Physical Description

Elevation in the Baptism-Brule subbasin generally ranges Relief from 1798 feet above mean sea level (msl) to as low as 688 feet above msl. This watershed is home to Eagle Mountian, the highest point in Minnesota at 2,301 feet above msl. Interestingly, this highest point is 15 miles from Minnesota’s Lowest elevation, Lake Superior, at 607 ft above msl.

Precipitation in the watershed ranges from 27 to 33 inches annually. Evaporation estimates are between 28 to 32 inches annually (Minnesota State Climatologists Office, 1999).

Much of the land within this HUC is not considered Average Precipitation highly erodible, and is poorly suited to agricultural uses. Predominate land uses / land covers are Forest (85.9%), Open Water (6.5%), Shrub/Scrubland (3.4%), and Wetlands (3.0%)

Land use within the watershed is scarcely agricultural, accounting for less than one percent of the available acres. Development pressure is moderate, with some timberland, resorts and lakeshore being parceled out for recreation, lake or country homes.

Ownership/1

Ownership Type Acres % of HUC Conservancy 2,316 0.2 County 954 0.1 Federal 582,694 57.1 State 221,977 21.8 Other - - Tribal 43,499 4.3 Private Major 21,504 2.1 Private 146,979 14.4

Total Acres: 1,019,923 100

* Ownership totals derived from 2007 MN DNR GAP Stewardship Coverage data and are the best suited estimation of land stewardship available on a statewide scale at time of publication. See the bibliography section of this document for further information. 3 Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Ownership / Land Use

The watershed covers an area of 1,019,932 acres. Slightly more than fifty seven percent of the land in the watershed is Federally owned ( 582,694 acres). The second largest ownership type is State, with approximately 221,980 acres (21.8%), followed by Private with 146,979 acres (14.4%), Tribal with 43,499 acres (4.3%), Private major with 21,504 acres (2.1%), and Conservancy with 2,316 acres (0.2%). County lands account for the smallest ownership percentage, occupying 954 acres (0.1%). Land use by ownership type is represented in the table below.

Land Use / Land Cover /2

Ownership / Land Use /3

Public Private** Tribal Landcover/Use Acres % Public Acres % Private Acres % Tribal Total Acres Percent Forest 688,485 67.5% 146,921 14.4% 39,869 3.9% 875,275 85.9% Grass, etc 3,371 0.3% 1,660 0.2% 298 0.0% 5,329 0.5% Orchards 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Row Crops 335 0.0% 465 0.0% 13 0.0% 812 0.1% Shrub etc 29,785 2.9% 4,904 0.5% 255 0.0% 34,944 3.4% Wetlands 26,149 2.6% 3,447 0.3% 1,356 0.1% 30,952 3.0% Residential/Commercial 2,401 0.2% 3,350 0.3% 376 0.0% 6,127 0.6% Open Water* 54,709 5.4% 10,040 1.0% 1,239 0.1% 65,988 6.5% * ownership undetermined ** includes private-major Watershed Totals: 805,235 78.99% 170,786 16.8% 43,406 4.3% 1,019,427 100%

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Physical Description (continued)

ACRES cu. ft/sec USGS 04010500 PIGEON RIVER Total Avg. 432.7 Stream Flow Data AT MIDDLE FALLS NR GRAND PORTAGE MN May – Sept. Avg. Yield 672

MILES PERCENT Total Miles – Major 2751 --- Stream Data/4 (100K Hydro GIS Layer) (*Percent of Total HUC 303d/TMDL Listed Streams Stream Miles) 33 1.2% (DEQ) Land Use Type Acres Percent Forest 45,997 70.6% Grain Crops 0 0.0%

Grass, etc 162 0.2% Riparian Orchards 0 0.0% Land Cover/Land Use/5 Row Crops 29 0.0% (Based on a 100-foot buffer on both sides of all streams in the Shrub etc 615 0.9% 100K Hydro GIS Layer) Wetlands 2,707 4.2% Residential/Commercial 293 0.5%

Open Water* 15,386 23.6% Total Buffer Acres: 65,190 100% 1 – slight limitations 0 0%

2 – moderate limitations 2,500 48%

3 – severe limitations 0 0%

4 – very severe limitations 0 0% 5 – no erosion hazard, but 0 0% other limitations

Crop and Pastureland 6 – severe limitations; Land Capability Class/6 unsuitable for cultivation; 2,700 52% limited to pasture, range, forest (Croplands & Pasturelands Only) (1997 NRI Estimates for Non-Federal Lands Only) 7 – very severe limitations; unsuitable for cultivation; 0 0% limited to grazing, forest, wildlife habitat

8 – miscellaneous areas; limited to recreation, wildlife habitat, 0 0% water supply

Total Croplands & Pasturelands 5,200 ---

% of % of TYPE OF LAND ACRES Irrigated Cropland Lands Cultivated Cropland / Pastureland 0 0% 0% Irrigated Lands/7 (1997 NRI Estimates for Non- Uncultivated Cropland 0 0% 0% Federal Lands Only) Total Irrigated Lands 0 --- 0%

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Assessment of Waters

The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to adopt water-quality standards to protect waters from pollution. These standards define how much of a pollutant can be in the water and still allow it to meet designated uses, such as drinking water, fishing and swimming.

The standards are set on a wide range of pollutants, including bacteria, nutrients, turbidity and mercury. A water body is “impaired” if it fails to meet one or more water quality standards. To identify and restore impaired waters, Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to:

• Assess all waters of the state to determine if they meet water-quality standards

• List waters that do not meet standards (the 303d List) and update every other year

• Conduct TMDL studies in order to set pollutant reduction goals needed to restore waters.

Federal and state regulations and programs also require implementation of restoration measures to meet TMDLs. MPCA responsibilities include performing assessment activities, listing impaired waters, and conducting TMDLs in Minnesota. The agency also coordinates closely with other state and local agencies on restoration activities.

The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) list is updated every two years (the next list will be approved in 2008). Following assessment of water quality data and an extensive public participation process, the draft TMDL list is submitted to the U.S. EPA for final approval.

2006 Minnesota 303d Listed Streams - Baptism-Brule

Listed Stream Impairment Affected Use Pigeon River South Fowl Lk to Pigeon Bay Mercury Aquatic Consumption Brule River Greenwood R to Lk Superior Mercury Aquatic Consumption Poplar River Superior Hiking Trail bridge to Lk Superior Mercury, Turbidity Aquatic Consumption and Aquatic Life

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Assessment of Waters (continued)

2006 Minnesota 303d Listed Lakes - Baptism-Brule

Listed Lake Impairment Affected Use Listed Lake Impairment Affected Use Listed Lake Impairment Affected Use

Superior Hg, PCB Aquatic Consumption Poplar Hg Aquatic Consumption Mit Hg Aquatic Consumption

Moosehorn Hg Aquatic Consumption South Hg Aquatic Consumption Pine Hg Aquatic Consumption

Tom Hg Aquatic Consumption Dunn Hg Aquatic Consumption Wampus Hg Aquatic Consumption

Esther Hg Aquatic Consumption Mark Hg Aquatic Consumption Leo Hg Aquatic Consumption

Devilfish Hg Aquatic Consumption Pike Hg Aquatic Consumption Squint Hg Aquatic Consumption

Otter Hg Aquatic Consumption Deer Yard Hg Aquatic Consumption Aspen Hg Aquatic Consumption

Chester Hg Aquatic Consumption Vernon Hg Aquatic Consumption Swamp Hg Aquatic Consumption

South Fowl Hg Aquatic Consumption Swan Hg Aquatic Consumption Morgan Hg Aquatic Consumption

John Hg Aquatic Consumption Rush Hg Aquatic Consumption Vista Hg Aquatic Consumption

North Fowl Hg Aquatic Consumption Henson Hg Aquatic Consumption Hungry Jack Hg Aquatic Consumption

Pine Hg Aquatic Consumption Gaskin Hg Aquatic Consumption Bearskin Hg Aquatic Consumption

East Pike Hg Aquatic Consumption Cascade Hg Aquatic Consumption Rose Hg Aquatic Consumption

Moose Hg Aquatic Consumption Little Cascade Hg Aquatic Consumption Duncan Hg Aquatic Consumption

Trout Hg Aquatic Consumption Brule Hg Aquatic Consumption McDonald Hg Aquatic Consumption

Carrot Hg Aquatic Consumption Winchell Hg, PCB Aquatic Consumption Hand Hg Aquatic Consumption

Greenwood Hg Aquatic Consumption Barker Hg Aquatic Consumption Johnson Hg Aquatic Consumption

West Pike Hg Aquatic Consumption Caribou Hg Aquatic Consumption Balsam Hg Aquatic Consumption

Northern Light Hg Aquatic Consumption Clara Hg Aquatic Consumption Delay Hg Aquatic Consumption

Mountain Hg Aquatic Consumption Holly Hg Aquatic Consumption Toohey Hg Aquatic Consumption

Elbow Hg Aquatic Consumption White Pine Hg Aquatic Consumption Finger Hg Aquatic Consumption

Musquash Hg Aquatic Consumption Christine Hg Aquatic Consumption Timber Hg Aquatic Consumption

Alder Hg Aquatic Consumption Kinogami Hg Aquatic Consumption Elbow Hg Aquatic Consumption

Crocodile Hg Aquatic Consumption Gust Hg Aquatic Consumption Frear Hg Aquatic Consumption

Swamper Hg Aquatic Consumption Lichen Hg Aquatic Consumption Cross River Hg Aquatic Consumption

Jim Hg Aquatic Consumption Bouder Hg Aquatic Consumption Benson Hg Aquatic Consumption

Clearwater Hg Aquatic Consumption Tait Hg Aquatic Consumption East Hg Aquatic Consumption

Devil Track Hg Aquatic Consumption Juno Hg Aquatic Consumption Crooked Hg Aquatic Consumption

East Bearskin Hg Aquatic Consumption Star Hg Aquatic Consumption Thunderbird Hg Aquatic Consumption

Flour Hg Aquatic Consumption Homer Hg Aquatic Consumption Ninemile Hg Aquatic Consumption

Pit Hg Aquatic Consumption Upper Cone Hg Aquatic Consumption Lupus Hg Aquatic Consumption

Two Island Hg Aquatic Consumption Davis Hg Aquatic Consumption Wilson Hg Aquatic Consumption

Dick Hg Aquatic Consumption Crescent Hg Aquatic Consumption Little Wilson Hg Aquatic Consumption

Little Trout Hg Aquatic Consumption Marsh Hg Aquatic Consumption Dam Five Hg Aquatic Consumption

Lower Trout Hg Aquatic Consumption Moore Hg Aquatic Consumption Whitefish Hg Aquatic Consumption

Ball Club Hg Aquatic Consumption Sawbill Hg Aquatic Consumption Organ Hg Aquatic Consumption

Kemo Hg Aquatic Consumption Alton Hg Aquatic Consumption Nipisiquit Hg Aquatic Consumption

Thrush Hg Aquatic Consumption Dyers Hg Aquatic Consumption Four Mile Hg Aquatic Consumption

Thrasher Hg Aquatic Consumption 7 Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Common Resource Areas

The Baptism-Brule Watershed encompasses a single common resource area, CRA 93A.1./9

93A.1 - Superior Upland Bedrock and Till Complex:

Gently sloping to very steep soils that generally formed in loamy, 34-36 dense glacial till. Bedrock control is common and outcrops in many places, especially in the Boundary Water area. Bogs are common, both dysic and euic in reaction. Deciduous and coniferous forestland is the main land use. Small areas of cropland, pasture and hayland occur. Resource concerns are Only the major CRA units are described above. timber harvest management, wildlife habitat management, forage For further information, go to: production, and riparian management. http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography/cra.html

Geology / Soils/10

The North Shore’s geology is spectacular, with long ridges sloping towards the lake and the Sawtooth Mountains crowding the shoreline. Streams leap through cracks in the bedrock and form waterfalls, cas- cades and rapids over the ancient rocks.

Bedrock in the watershed is a complex of Precambrian volcanic and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks extensively intruded by dikes and sills. Bedrock in the North Shore area is predominantly a very thick succession of southeastward-dipping lava flows, the North Shore volcanic group, that overlies the metamorphosed sedimentary rocks exposed in the extreme northern part of the watershed. This rock sequence is intruded by numerous dikes and sills and by the Duluth Complex, which forms the bedrock in much of the area.

Unconsolidated glacial sediments in the Lake Superior watershed consist largely of red to brown sandy and stony till, outwash and ice-contact deposits of sand and gravel, and red silty to clayey glacial lake deposits. These sediments were laid down by advances and subsequent wasting of several ice sheets that moved southwestward out of the Lake Superior trough. The deposits are less than 50 ft (15m) thick over most of the North Shore area and less than 6 ft (1.8 m) in much of the area, especially along the lakeshore in the northern part. Numerous wetlands, associated with the high water table and hummocky topography of glacial terrain, occur in the watershed. Many of the wetlands contain shallow peat deposits.

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Drainage Classification

Drainage class (natural) refers to the frequency and duration of wet periods under conditions similar to those under which the soil formed. Alterations of the water regime by human activities, either through drainage or irrigation, are not a consideration un- less they have significantly changed the morphology of the soil.

Seven classes of natural soil drainage are recognized–excessively drained, somewhat excessively drained, well drained, moderately well drained, somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, and very poorly drained. These classes are defined in the “Soil Survey Manual.”

Visit the online Web Soil Survey at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov for official and current USDA soil information as viewable maps and tables. Visit the Soil Data Mart at http://soildatamart.usda.gov to download SSURGO certified soil tabular and spatial data.

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Farmland Classification

Farmland classification identifies map units as prime farmland, farmland of statewide importance, farmland of local importance, or unique farmland.

Farmland classification identifies the location and extent of the most suitable land for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops.

NRCS policy and procedures on prime and unique farmlands are published in the Federal Register, Vol. 43, No 21, January 31, 1978.

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Hydric Soils

This rating provides an indication of the proportion of the map unit that meets criteria for hydric soils. Map units that are dominantly made up of hydric soils may have small areas, or inclusions of nonhydric soils in the higher positions on the landform. Map units of dominantly non–hydric soils may therefore have inclusions of hydric soils in the lower positions on the landform.

Hydric soils are defined by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS) as “soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part” (Federal Register 1994). These soils, under natural conditions, are either saturated or inundated long enough during the growing season to support the growth and reproduction of hydrophytic vegetation.

If soils are wet enough for a long enough period of time to be considered hydric, they should exhibit certain properties that can be easily observed in the field.

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Highly Erodible Land (HEL)

The erodibility index (EI) for a soil map unit is determined by dividing the potential erodibility for the soil map unit by the soil loss tolerance (T) value established for the soil in the FOTG as of January 1, 1990.

A soil map unit with an EI of 8 or greater is considered to be highly erodible land (HEL).

Potential erodibility is based on default values for rainfall amount and intensity, percent and length of slope, surface texture and organic matter, permeability, and plant cover. Actual erodibility and EI for any specific map unit depends on the actual values for these properties.

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Land Capability Classification

Land capability classification shows, in a general way, the suitability of soils for most kinds of field crops. Crops that require special management are excluded. The soils are grouped according to their limitations for field crops, the risk of damage if they are used for crops, and the way they respond to management.

The criteria used in grouping the soils does not include major and generally expensive land forming that would change slope, depth, or other characteristics of the soils, nor do they include possible but unlikely major reclamation projects. Capability classification is not a substitute for interpretations designed to show suitability and limitations of groups of soils for rangeland, for forestland, or for engineering purposes.

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Performance Results System Data

Watershed Name: Baptism - Brule Watershed Number: 04010101 PRS Performance FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06 FY07 TOTAL Measures Total Conservation 0 1,123 0 245 0 N/A 44,863 541 181 46,953 Systems Planned (acres) Total Conservation 0 1,450 0 1,109 1,109 N/A 0 137 140 3,945 Systems Applied (acres)

Conservation Practices

Total Waste Management 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (313) (numbers)

Riparian Forest Buffers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (391) (acres)

Erosion Control Total Soil 0 312 360 50 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A 722 Saved (tons/year)

Total Nutrient Management (590) 0 114 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 114 (Acres) Pest Management Systems Applied (595A) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Acres)

Prescribed Grazing 528a 0 109 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 109 (acres)

Tree & Shrub Establishment (612) 0 200 263 244 320 0 0 0 5 1,032 (acres)

Residue Management 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (329A-C) (acres)

Total Wildlife Habitat (644 0 0 20 418 1 0 418 116 4 977 - 645) (acres)

Total Wetlands Created, Restored, or Enhanced 0 13 1 3 1 42 0 0 0 60 (acres)

Acres enrolled in Farmbill Programs

Conservation Reserve 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 115 0 115 Program Wetlands Reserve 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 Program

Environmental Quality 0 900 80 889 482 N/A 0 0 140 2,491 Incentives Program

Wildlife Habitat Incentive 0 0 20 120 19 N/A 0 23 0 182 Program Farmland Protection 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 Program

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Re s o u r c e Co nc e r n s

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the watershed have identified the following resource concerns as top priorities for conservation and cost sharing efforts:

• Soil Quality, Excessive Erosion. Soil erosion from exposed surface areas, streambank and lakeshore areas, and roadside erosion are major conservation issues in the watershed.

• Woodland Management. Management opportunities include planting trees or shrubs, restoring prairies, timber stand improvement, timber sales, enhancing wildlife habitat, prescribed burning, and many other practices or projects.

• Surface Water Quality, Nutrients, Priority Pollutants. Excessive amounts of sediments, nutrients, and bacteria degrade the water quality causing a fish community with depressed populations and limited diversity. Mercury levels are affecting the health of Aquatic communities, and affecting the consumption of fish in many area lakes.

• Surface / Groundwater Quality and Quantity. Local districts seek to assist local government, landowners, and interest groups to make land and water use decisions regaarding potential impacts to water quality and quantityin the face of growing land use changes.

• Shoreline Management. Priority is given to promoting the environmental protection and orderly growth of the North Shore of Lake Superior. Local districts seek to regulate and manage the density of development on and adjacent to shorelines, and develop and enforce wastewater and stormwater regulations within the “North Shore Management Zone”.

• Wetland Management. Area groups recognize that development and logging have had major impacts on wetlands. Physical changes have taken place, wildlife and plant species composition have been altered, greatly changing the function and value of the areas plentiful wetlands. Cook County is committed to the successful practice and mitigation of of policy yielding “no net loss” in viable wetlands.

NRI Erosion Estimates 0.6

• Sheet and rill erosion by water on the 0.5 cropland and pastureland in 1982 indicated 0.4 100 tons annually, increasing to 500 tons anually in 1987, and declining to 100 tons a 0.3

year in 1992, wehere it remained in1997. 0.2

• At the time of reporting NRI estimates for Soil Loss (1000 tons/yr) 0.1 wind erosion rates between between the years 0 1982 1987 1992 1997 1982 1997 are not available for this HUC. /13

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t h r e a t e n e d a n d e n d a n g e r e d s p e c i e s /14

NRCS assists in the conservation of threatened and endangered species and avoids or prevents activities detrimental to such species. NRCS’ concern for these species includes the species listed by the Secretary of the Interior (as published in the Federal Register) and species designated by state agencies. The following is a list of threatened, endangered, candidate species and species of special concern that occur in the basin.

Scientific Name Common Name Type Scientific Name Common Name Type Adoxa moschatellina Moschatel Botanical Littorella uniflora American Shore-plantain Botanical Agrostis geminata Twin Bentgrass Botanical Lobaria quercizans Smooth lungwort Botanical Allium schoenoprasum var. Luzula parviflora ssp. Wild Chives Botanical Small-flowered Woodrush Botanical sibiricum melanocarpa Anaptychia setifera Hanging fringe lichen Botanical Lycaeides idas nabokovi Nabokov's Blue Zoological Arabis holboellii var. retrofracta Holboell's Rock-cress Botanical Moehringia macrophylla Large-leaved Sandwort Botanical Arnica lonchophylla Long-leaved Arnica Botanical Muhlenbergia uniflora One Flowered Muhly Botanical Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Botanical Myotis septentrionalis Northern Myotis Zoological Botrychium lanceolatum Triangle Moonwort Botanical Najas gracillima Thread-like Naiad Botanical Botrychium lunaria Common Moonwort Botanical Nymphaea leibergii Small White Water-lily Botanical Botrychium minganense Mingan Moonwort Botanical Ophiogomphus anomalis Extra-striped Snaketail Zoological Botrychium pallidum Pale Moonwort Botanical Osmorhiza berteroi Chilean Sweet Cicely Botanical Botrychium rugulosum St. Lawrence Grapefern Botanical Osmorhiza depauperata Blunt-fruited Sweet Cicely Botanical Botrychium simplex Least Moonwort Botanical Oxytropis viscida Sticky Locoweed Botanical Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk Zoological Parmelia stictica A Species of Lichen Botanical Calamagrostis lacustris Marsh Reedgrass Botanical Peltigera venosa Fan lichen Botanical Calamagrostis purpurascens Purple Reedgrass Botanical Phacelia franklinii Franklin's Phacelia Botanical Carex exilis Coastal Sedge Botanical Pinguicula vulgaris Butterwort Botanical Carex flava Yellow Sedge Botanical Platanthera clavellata Club-spur Orchid Botanical Carex katahdinensis Katahdin Sedge Botanical Polygonum viviparum Alpine Bistort Botanical Carex michauxiana Michaux's Sedge Botanical Polystichum braunii Braun's Holly Fern Botanical Carex pallescens Pale Sedge Botanical Potamogeton vaseyi Vasey's Pondweed Botanical Carex praticola Prairie Sedge Botanical Pseudocyphellaria crocata Yellow specklebelly Botanical Carex supina var. spaniocarpa Weak Arctic Sedge Botanical Pyrola minor Small Shinleaf Botanical Carex woodii Wood's Sedge Botanical Ranunculus lapponicus Lapland Buttercup Botanical Carex xerantica Dry Sedge Botanical Rhynchospora fusca Sooty-colored Beak-rush Botanical Castilleja septentrionalis Northern Paintbrush Botanical Sagina nodosa ssp. borealis Knotty Pearlwort Botanical Cetraria aurescens Eastern candlewas lichen Botanical Salix pellita Satiny Willow Botanical Claytonia caroliniana Carolina Spring-beauty Botanical Saxifraga cernua Nodding Saxifrage Botanical Coturnicops noveboracensis Yellow Rail Zoological Saxifraga paniculata Encrusted Saxifrage Botanical Crataegus douglasii Black Hawthorn Botanical Schistostegia pennata Luminous Moss Botanical Deschampsia flexuosa Slender Hairgrass Botanical Scirpus clintonii Clinton's Bulrush Botanical Draba arabisans Rock Whitlow-grass Botanical Senecio indecorus Elegant Grounsel Botanical Drosera anglica English Sundew Botanical Sorex fumeus Smoky Shrew Zoological Eleocharis nitida Neat Spike-rush Botanical Sparganium glomeratum Clustered Bur-reed Botanical Eleocharis quinqueflora Few-flowered Spike-rush Botanical Subularia aquatica Awlwort Botanical Euphrasia hudsoniana Hudson Bay Eyebright Botanical Tofieldia pusilla Small False Asphodel Botanical Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Zoological Torreyochloa pallida Torrey's Manna-grass Botanical Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle Zoological Trimorpha acris var. asteroides Bitter Fleabane Botanical Huperzia porophila Rock Clubmoss Botanical Vaccinium uliginosum Alpine Bilberry Botanical Juncus stygius var. americanus Bog Rush Botanical Waldsteinia fragarioides Barren Strawberry Botanical Juniperus horizontalis Creeping Juniper Botanical Woodsia alpina Alpine Woodsia Botanical Lasmigona compressa Creek Heelsplitter Zoological Woodsia glabella Smooth Woodsia Botanical Listera auriculata Auricled Twayblade Botanical Woodsia scopulina Rocky Mountain Woodsia Botanical Listera convallarioides Broad-lipped Twayblade Botanical Xyris montana Montane Yellow-eyed Grass Botanical 16 Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Socioeconomic and Agricultural Data (Relevant)

Estimations for the Baptism-Brule subbasin indicate a current population of approximately 5,497 people. Median household income throughout the district is $37,520 yearly, roughly 79% of the national average. Unemployment is estimated at 4.2%, and approximately 9% of the residents in the watershed live below the national poverty level.

Assessment estimates indicate 22 farms located in the watershed. Approximately eighty two percent of the operations are less than 180 acres in size, eighteen percent are from 180 to 1000 acres in size, and no farms in this HUC appear to be greater than 1000 acres in size. Of the 20 operators in the watershed, 47 percent are full-time producers not reliant on off-farm income.

(MN) HUC# 4010101 Total Acres: 1,019,923 Watershed Population 5,497 Unemployment Rate 4.2% Median Household Income 37,520

Data* % below poverty level 9% Population Median Value of Home 91,400 # of Farms 22 # of Operators 20 Percent # of Full Time Operators 9 47%

Farms # of Part Time Operators 10 53% Total Crop/Pasturelands: 5,200 0.5% 1 to 49 Acres 16 30% 50 to 179 Acres 27 52% 180 to 499 Acres 8 15% 500 to 999 Acres 2 3% Farm Size 1,000 Acres or more 0 0% Cattle - Beef 22 11% Cattle - Dairy 0 0% Chicken 11 6% Swine 12 6% Turkey 0 0% Other 153 77% Animal Count Total: 198 Livestock & Poultry Total Permitted AFOs: 1 Insecticides 0 Herbicides 0 Wormicides 0 Fruiticides 0

Chemicals Total Acres Treated 0 (Acres Applied) % State Chemical Totals 0.0%

* Adjusted by percent of HUC in the county or by percent of block group area in the HUC, depending on the level of data available

17 Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Watershed Projects, Plans and Monitoring

• Cook County Sustainable Devel. Initiative • Lake Superior Erosion Control/Bluff Stability Cook County SWCD, MN BWSR Lake Superior Association of SWCDs • Lake Superior Shoreline Stabilization • Lutsen and the Poplar River Watershed BMP Cook, Lake, and St Louis County SWCD Cook County Planning Department • Lake Superior Coastal Program • Enhancement of Lake Superior’s Water Quality MN DNR, NOAA North Shore Management Board • Flute Reed River Watershed Project • Gunflint Trail Corridor Management Plan Cook County SWCD Gunflint Trail Corridor Committee, ARDC • Watershed Guardian Program • Poplar River Total Maximum Daily Load Plan Area SWCDs, Citizens, Cargill Inc. Cook County SWCD, MPCA • Lake Superior Shoreline Stabilization Project • Grand Marais Stormwater Management Plan Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Cook County SWCD, Lake Superior Coastal Program

* Have a watershed project you’d like to see included? Submit suggestions online @ http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/rwa/

Conservation Districts, Organizations & Partners

• Arrowhead Region Development Commission • Minnesota Sea Grant 221 West 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 2305 E 5th Street Duluth, MN 55805 Phone (218) 722-5545 Phone (218) 726-8106

• Blandin Foundation • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Duluth 100 N. Pokegama Ave Grand Rapids, MN 55744 525 Lake Avenue S, Suite 400 Duluth, MN 55802 Phone (218) 326-0523 Phone: (218) 723-4663

• Cook County SWCD • North Shore Management Board c/o ARDC 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais, MN 55604 221 W 1st St. Duluth, MN 55802 Phone (218) 387-3647 Phone 1-800-232-0707

• Lake County SWCD • Great Lakes Commission 601 3rd Ave, PO Box 14, Two Harbors, MN 55616 2805 S. Ind. Hwy, Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone (218) 834-8370 Phone: (734) 971-9135

18 Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Footnotes / Bibliography

1. Ownership Layer – Source: MN Stewardship Data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Wildlife, BRW, Inc, 2007. This is the complete GAP Stewardship database containing land ownership information for the entire state of Minnesota. Date of source material is variable and ranges from 1976 to 2007, although a date range of 1983 to 1985 predominates. Land interest is expressed only when some organization owns or administers more than 50% of a forty except where DNR could create sub-forty accuracy polygons.

2. National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) - Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Publication date: 19990631; Title: Minnesota Land Cover Data Set, Edition: 1; Geospatial data presentation form: Raster digital data; Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.

3. Ownership layer classes grouped to calculate Public ownership vs. Private and Tribal ownership by Minnesota NRCS Rapid Watershed Assessment Staff. Land cover / Land use data was then extracted from the National Landcover Dataset Classification System and related to ownership class polygons.

4. U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) 1:100,000-scale Digital Line Graph (DLG) medium resolution hydrography data, integrated with reach-related information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Reach File Version 3.0 (RF3). The Hydro 100k layer was compared to MPCA’s 303(d) data to derive percentage of listed waters.

5. Land Cover / Land Use / Hydro 100k Buffer. Using the 100k Hydrology dataset, All streams within HUC were spatially buffered to a distance of 100 ft. National Landcover Dataset attributes were extracted for the spatial buffer to demonstrate the vegetation and landuse in vulnerable areas adjacent to waterways.

6. Land Capability Class. ESTIMATES FROM THE 1997 NRI DATABASE (REVISED DECEMBER 2000) REPLACE ALL PREVIOUS REPORTS AND ESTIMATES. Comparisons made using data published for the 1982, 1987, or 1992 NRI may produce erroneous results. This is because of changes in statistical estimation protocols and because all data collected prior to 1997 were simultaneously reviewed (edited) as 1997 NRI data were collected. All definitions are available in the glossary. In addition, this December 2000 revision of the 1997 NRI data updates information released in December 1999 and corrects a computer error discovered in March 2000. For more information: http://www.nrcs.usda. gov/technical/NRI/

7. 1997 NRI Irrigated Land Estimates. Irrigated land: Land that shows evidence of being irrigated during the year of the inventory or during two or more years out of the last four years. Water is supplied to crops by ditches, pipes, or other conduits. Water spreading is not considered irrigation; it is recorded as a conservation practice. [NRI-97] For more information: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/

8. 303(d) Stream data. Minnesota’s Final Impaired Waters (per Section 303(d) Clean Water Act), 2006. Data obtained from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) helps protect state water by monitoring quality, setting standards and controlling inputs through the development of TMDL plans. http://www. pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html#maps.

All data is provided “as is.” There are no warranties, express or implied, including the warranty of fitness 19 for a particular purpose, accompanying this document. Use for general planning purposes only. Ba p t i s m -Br u l e Wa t e r s h e d (MN) HUC: 04010101

Footnotes / Bibliography (continued)

9. National Coordinated Common Resource Area (CRA) Geographic Database. A Common Resource Area (CRA) map delineation is defined as a geographical area where resource concerns, problems, or treatment needs are similar. It is considered a subdivision of an existing Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) map delineation or polygon. Landscape conditions, soil, climate, human considerations, and other natural resource information are used to determine the geographic boundaries of a Common Resource Area

10. Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) Tabular and spatial data obtained from NRCS Soil Data Mart at http:// soildatamart.nrcs.gov. Publication dates vary by county. Component and layer tables were linked to the spatial data via SDV 5.1 and ARCGIS 9.1 to derive the soil classifications presented in these examples. Highly Erodible Land Classification Data obtained from USDA/NRCS EFOTG Section II, County Soil Data. HEL classifications were appended to SSURGO spatial data via an ARCEdit session. Addendum and publication dates vary by county.

11. Lands removed from production through farm bill programs. County enrollment derived from the following: CRP Acres: www.fsa.usda.gov/crpstorpt/07Approved/r1sumyr/mn.htm (7/30/04). CREP Acres: http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/ easements/crep/easementsummary.html (7/31/03). WRP Acres: NRCS (8/16/04). Data were obtained by county and adjusted by percent of HUC in the county.

12. Socioeconomic and Agricultural Census Data were taken from the U.S. Population Census, 2000 and 2002 Agricultural Census and adjusted by percent of HUC in the county or by percent of zip code area in the HUC, depending on the level of data available. Data were also taken from MPCA AFO/CAFO counts provided by county for 2005.

13. 1997 NRI Estimates for sheet and rill erosion (WEQ & USLE). The NRI estimates sheet and rill erosion together using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was not used in the 1997 NRI. RUSLE was not available for previous inventories, therefore the use of USLE was continued to preserve the trending capacity of the NRI database. Wind erosion is estimated using the Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ). For further information visit http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/nri/findings/erosion.htm

14. Federally listed endangered and threatened species counts obtained from NRCS Field OfficeTechnical Guide, Section II, Threatened and Endangered List. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Technical/efotg/. Where listed, Essential fish habitat as established by Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Public Law 94-265, as amended through October 11, 1996 http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/magact/

15. Watershed Projects, Plans, Monitoring. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Watershed Projects Planned and Authorized, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/Purpose. Additional Information on listed individual projects can be obtained from the noted parties.

All data is provided “as is.” There are no warranties, express or implied, including the warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, accompanying this document. Use for general planning purposes only. 20